Murrells Inlet, SC Water Safety: 50/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
A meaningful share of water systems in Murrells Inlet have recorded health-based violations in recent SC monitoring periods — placing the city in the lower tier for tap water safety.
How Murrells Inlet Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Murrells Inlet Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 22% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.49 — above typical levels.
Murrells Inlet's Water Providers
In Murrells Inlet, SC, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 4 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina (population ~32,975), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 338,060 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Murrells Inlet — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Murrells Inlet: D (50/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Murrells Inlet water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Murrells Inlet
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29576 | D | GSW&SA (SC2620004) | 247,550 |
All ZIP Codes in Murrells Inlet
- 29576 [D]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Murrells Inlet Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Murrells Inlet Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
For most of Murrells Inlet's housing stock, construction occurred after 1986 — when lead solder in plumbing was federally prohibited. The median build year of 1990 broadly reflects that newer profile.
Most homes in Murrells Inlet were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Murrells Inlet
Property equity in Murrells Inlet runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Murrells Inlet are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 53% above the South Carolina average.
Murrells Inlet: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Even with citywide samples reading clean and just 22% of Murrells Inlet homes dating to the pre-rule era, individual-faucet conditions remain a separate question that aggregate utility data cannot resolve for one specific address. That gap is structural, not a function of severity.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Murrells Inlet: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
NFIP data for Murrells Inlet documents 3064 flood insurance claims across the program's multi-decade tracking period, with 100% of ZIP codes mapped into FEMA flood zones. That level of exposure creates compounding risk during major flood events: treatment systems can be overwhelmed, wells can be contaminated, and distribution infrastructure can suffer backflow — all pathways by which flood events degrade local water quality beyond the physical damage.
Murrells Inlet has a significant flood history with 3,064 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $29,818 per claim. With 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Murrells Inlet
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Murrells Inlet, SC